Whose park is it anyway?

Montana State Roundup

The role of national parks in scientific research has recently
been called into question by some environmental and consumer groups.

For decades "bioprospectors," who work on behalf of commercial
businesses, and research scientists have combed the flora and fauna
of U.S. national parks for microbes and bacteria that could lead
to new health and scientific products.

At issue are the potential effects on the environment from these
pursuits and the value of royalties paid to the parks. Critics are
concerned that profit-sharing between parks and companies would
lead parks to compete for the research projects, thus distracting
the parks from their basic role of protecting the natural environment.

A lawsuit filed over a contract between a developer of chemical
and pharmaceutical products and Yellowstone Park led to a judge's
decision to put such agreements on hold. Yellowstone was also ordered
to conduct a study of how its resources would be affected.

At least 18 patents have resulted from research at Yellowstone
Park alone, park officials said. One such research project earned
$1 billion for the patent-holder, while the park received nothing.